Although held in St. Augustine, Florida, the Fool’s Paradise Festival strongly stated it’s love for New Orleans. This inaugural two-day event was put together by Paul Levine of Purple Hat Productions and Kunj Shah of Live For Live Music. It was also curated by Lettuce, creating a weekend filled with funk, soul and faces that frequent the Crescent City, either as residents or as resident artists.
Photo by Keith Griner.
Funk-slingers Lettuce were the main draw for the weekend, headlining both nights, and guitarist Eric Krasno has been spending quite a bit of time in New Orleans as of late. Recording, producing and performing with acts like Art Neville, The Motet, Soulive and Pretty Lights, Krasno is a staple here, and all the members of Lettuce will have a strong presence on the Jazz Fest Late Night scene this year.
Lettuce brought out Griz for their first ever collaboration to close out Friday night, and the set defiantely lived up to it’s hype. The day’s vibe catered more to lovers of electronic elements, as it featured Marvel Years and Goldfish in addition to Lettuce and Griz. Friday’s late night crowd got their first taste of the phenomenon known as Vulfpeck, (the band also opened their set with a wedding when they played the main stage on Saturday), as well as a set by livetronica duo Break Science.
Saturday was soaked with soul and filled with sounds of New Orleans. The Nth Power was originally formed as a backing band for Jennifer Hartswick during a Jazz Fest late night a couple of years ago and the members clicked and have been going strong since. When the band originally featured New Orleans resident Nigel Hall on keys and vocals (he performed Fool’s Paradise with various acts), The Nth Power has since brought on Courtney J’Mell Smith, who has added a new element as he’s settled into his new role with the band. The Nth Power also showcased percussionist Weedie Braimah, who moved to New Orleans to connect to his mother’s family roots. Weedie will be perform with Derrick Freeman at FREEman WEEDie Fest at d.b.a on April 25th, and The Nth Power will be part of Earth, Wind and Power at One Eyed Jacks during on April 29th.
Photo by Jeremy Scott.
The Chris Robinson Soul Revue was the highlight of Saturday, and the supergroup planted its feet firmly in the New Orleans. Robinson, George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Nikki Glaspie, Neal Casal and The Shady Horns paid tribute to the late Allen Toussaint with a stellar version of “Get Out Of My Life Woman,” while artist-at-large Cory Henry joined Neville on keys for a sassy “Sneaking Sally Through The Alley”.
Saturday’s late-night shows included the Fools For Funk Supergroup featuring Lettuce and Break Science drummer Adam Deitch, Snarky Puppy’s Cory Henry, Lettuce guitarist Adam Smirnoff, The Shady Horns, and New Orleans’ own Nigel Hall and Weedie Braimah.
Fool’s Paradise may have been a first year festival, but you wouldn’t have known that given the attendance and the lack of logistical issues. The organizers hit the ball out of the park with this one. Hopefully next year they will keep the New Orleans connection going.
